Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 April 2023
352. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when an accommodation provider (details supplied) for Ukrainian refugees who is experiencing financial difficulties will receive payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18822/23]
View answerMy Department is prioritising maintaining a practice of more timely payments, including providing more resources to address any issues. Any delays in making payments are deeply regretted and my Department is according this issue very high priority.
With regard to the service provider mentioned in the details supplied, my officials are engaging with the provider regarding these invoices and on the successful conclusion of this engagement, the invoices will be processed, with payment expected to issue shortly thereafter.
The delay in payment is due to the large volume of invoices being received by my Department. Additional resources have been assigned within my Department as well as process improvements and the outsourcing of some elements of the process. The volume of payments issuing is steadily growing. My Department will continue to press on to eliminate the backlog while ensuring appropriate governance is in place to safeguard the proper spending of Exchequer funding.
